News 16:00

BULLETIN 9 February 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# DJ Warras’s alleged murderer considers a guilty plea
# SALGA’s lekgotla will review municipal performance and reforms
# And rugby: The Blitzboks improve to second in the world series standings after winning in Perth

# The defence for Mozambican national Armando Joaquim Pacula, accused of murdering media personality Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock, says he has withdrawn his bail application and is considering a plea deal with the state. Pacula appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on charges of premeditated murder and conspiracy after Stock was murdered on 16 December. Proceedings resume on Wednesday. Pacula’s lawyer, Tembile Gumpe, confirmed the plea agreement is not yet finalised.

# The South African Local Government Association’s national executive committee lekgotla in Cape Town is exploring reforms to improve service delivery. Discussions will focus on water, electricity, roads, sanitation and refuse removal. Cooperative Governance deputy minister Dickson Masemola told SABC News the lekgotla will also assess municipal performance, review lessons and progress from the past five years and shape interventions ahead of the local government elections:

# COSATU says South African Airways recorded its first profit in years and is steadily reopening domestic, regional, and international routes. COSATU’s Matthew Parks praises the airline’s emergence from state capture and corruption, highlighting its role in economic growth and tourism. He urges SAA to prioritise hiring former staff and avoid loss-making routes, calling the turnaround a morale boost and affirmation of state renewal under the ANC-led government:

# Rugby: The Blitzboks improved to second in the sevens world series following their victory over first-placed Fiji in yesterday’s final of the tournament in Perth, Australia. This was South Africa’s second title so far this season after winning in Cape Town in December, with less favourable results in Dubai and Singapore. The Blitzboks trail the islanders by four points. New Zealand is now third, followed by France, Australia, Argentina, Spain and Great Britain. The next tournament will be played in Vancouver, Canada, from 7 March.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand and the euro at 19-rand. One British pound costs 21-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-992-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-and-11-dollars-55-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-5-cents a barrel.

# And finally: President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Dipak Patel as deputy chairperson of the Presidential Climate Commission for the 2026 to 2030 term. According to the Presidency, the appointment aims to strengthen work on climate finance, investment mobilisation and South Africa’s Just Energy Transition. Patel brings expertise in climate finance, engineering and investment banking, and previously served as a senior advisor to the commission. The Presidency says the role is key to advancing a low-emissions, climate-resilient economy.

Stay tuned for more news………….